Optimizing the buy vs. rent decision for noncritical assets

Sophisticated buyers in today's competitive markets routinely consider the choice between purchasing and renting noncritical assets. Often, manpower accommodations (tents, structures and shelters) fall into this category of assets. Although companies such as Turnaround Logistics offer a variety of rental assets in this space, buyers may choose to purchase a shelter based on the duration of a project or the availability of funds. The right economic decision in these cases can put industry operators in a position of asset ownership. The challenge is how to optimize the return on investment for these noncritical assets.

"Our customers want more from their service providers and valuable assets," said Steve Saboe, president of Turnaround Logistics. "Many of them tell us they need our help to take care of their tents when they don't have the resources or time."

Although Turnaround Logistics specializes in the rental, sale and service of tents, structures and blast-resistant shelters, the company has responded to this market need by developing a robust program to help customers manage the entire lifecycle of their manpower accommodations.

"From repair and cleaning to storage and scheduling to field installation, we're being asked to do it all for them," Saboe said. "We can manage the entire cycle."

Turnaround Logistics has developed a comprehensive set of services for customers who own manpower accommodation assets (tents, shelters and related equipment). This program is called "Depot Services" and is becoming a key part of the company's service offering in the logistics space.

Modern, scalable, relevant services for industry

Key considerations when making a "rent vs. buy" decision for assets such as tents and shelters should include:

While most buyers are comfortable with the financial analysis, they can struggle to evaluate the "post-project" needs, said Saboe.

"That's where Turnaround Logistics comes in," he explained. "They see us as the industry expert and are confident we can demobilize their shelter at the end of a project and have it 100-percent ready to go when they need it next."

What is Depot Services?

Turnaround Logistics' Depot Services is a customized combination of services that provide a turnkey offering to the market.

"We're in a unique position to offer these services," Saboe said. "We have decades of experience with all kinds of tents and deep relationships with manufacturers."